Farmboy: ...I'll try to make this my "final" on this topic, so please don't provoke me into a reply. Besides, I stood up for you once, please don't disappoint me.
Your first line: "as long as she's being attentive,..ready to take the proper action" etc. From the sound of the story, do you think she was? Thats the problem: Most aren't being attentive and by the time she would have taken action the kid's on the ground with an arm or leg under the mower! Just take a moment and "THINK" about that.....please.
Kyle,.. you are but 13 years old I believe. I am 72,...(yea maybe just a stupid old man to many,..and I won't argue the point.) You seem fairly mature for your age and no doubt have lots of experience with various types of tractors, RVs, cars and trucks etc (and a beer or 2).
That is good, very good, because by the time you're legal, you'll have driving experience under your belt, most folks don't get in a lifetime. Another good thing about it is that the "wild, eratic stuff you do" when nobody's looking, (that's how I learned) will transfer to "instinct" in time,...and that's what will eventually save your bacon on the farm and on the highway. So I'm happy for you and I guess there is no sense telling you to take it easy and be careful,..because I know better,...I was your age once,..Really, no kiddin, I won't lie to you!
In fact I started driving tractors when I was 8 and graduated to loading gravel trucks when I was ten,...and then driving the gravel trucks at 12. (Best summer vacations I ever had!)
But,..my point is,..you are 13 years old. You are extremely lucky to be living where you are and having parents that allow you to do the things you do. Had my father (rest his soul) known what I was doing at that age, I'd still be chained to my bed!
Yes, you are having fun and getting experience and you "think" you are old enough and "wise" enough to come on this forum and voice an opinion on a topic you virtually know NOTHING about! (To clarify that: you are more than welcome to come on and voice an opinion on any topic you choose),...but please pick one you know something about. Otherwise some folk might listen to your advice and get hurt, or be the cause of an injury.
At my age and my experience in life, I have had the misfortune of witnessing in one way or another,...some extremely tragic accidents, (actually my Traffic Sergeant many years ago, told me there was no such thing as an "accident" as "somebody" is to blame!) But my involvement with equipment from the very big to the very small,..caused me to see some things I'd very much like to be able to forget.
At your young age and attitude on "all being well with kids on laps" steering lawn mowers etc,.....you would likely be totally amazed at the number of very bad injuries, amputations, manglings and horrible deaths involving kids and the simple riding lawn mower. Parents, big brothers, an uncle or friend having to live with the memory of the screams and what was left, dead or alive of a kid that was laughing, having a wonderful time till sh/he fell or got knocked off at the wrong time and place.
When you have seen what some of us older people have seen regarding what you, Kyle, "think" at 13 to be OK,....then perhaps you can come on and voice your "learned" opinion of the topic. But in the meantime, you really must admit you don't, actually, "know" what the heck you are talking about! Because, IT IS NOT OKAY TO LET KIDS RIDE LAWNMOWERS !!! A lawnmower is very difinitely "NOT" a toy ! It is a very dangerous tool meant to CUT!!
Yes I often see young kids driving the family lawn mower, cutting the grass. That kid might be qualified,...but chances are they DON'T yet have the "instincts" to make the instant move required to avoid something bad!! Kyle, you are no doubt developing the instincts in the driving you do daily. But try to keep in mind that your 4 year old niece most assuredly does "NOT" and neither does any other young kid. It would be a terrible shame if "you" had to live with some bad memories. Not many have your experience, ..definitely NOT at 4 years!! "THINK"!! MANY of the "adults" with the kid on their lap,.....are "NOT" qualified or responsible either. That's the cause!
Believe me, I did NOT want to get involved in this thread any further, But after considering what may or may not happen if left alone with your advice, I decided to enter this item. PLEASE take it for the way it was meant, as I'm extremely safety conscious, and only trying to be helpful. I hope you'll give it some thought as I think you will. I wish you the very best in all you do.
Good Luck,
. . tug
PS: BIRD,..sorry to hi-jack your thread,....just couldn't help myself, sorry.